Brittany Born, a mother from Ohio who frequently visits Disney World, has recently shared her experience of an eventful solo day trip to the iconic theme park. In an interview with PEOPLE, Born described the challenges she faced during her first solo outing to the Florida destination, which she captured in a now-viral Instagram video.
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Born, who regularly documents her escapades at Disney as @britsasmallworld, took to the skies for her day trip last month, despite the logistical hurdles posed by a two-hour flight. She enjoys the balance of indulging in her passion for Disney while ensuring she returns home to her children by nightfall. “It’s the best of both worlds for me,” she noted, highlighting the importance of making time for oneself as a parent.
Her viral video begins with a nail-biting scenario in her Uber, where she realised she only had a mere 25 minutes to reach Orlando International Airport (MCO) and make her flight back to Ohio. Born cheekily referenced her oversight, stating she was “accidentally doing the airport theory at one of the worst airports,” capturing the tension of the moment. The ‘airport theory’ is a risky travel hack that encourages passengers to arrive at the airport just in time for boarding, leaving little room for error.
As her video unfolds, viewers witness her anxiousness escalate as traffic builds up on the way to the airport. Born’s worried expressions are punctuated by the ticking clock, which shows her flight was set to close its gates just minutes after her expected arrival. “I don’t know. I’m not going to be able to make this,” she says, revealing her growing apprehension.
To her relief, she eventually reaches the gate at 8:15 p.m., just in time to catch her flight. Though the day culminated in a stressful adventure, she expressed that the experience was ultimately rewarding, stating she would definitely consider embarking on another day trip to Disney World in the future. Born already has plans for another solo getaway, set for July.
“The entire trip felt 100% worth it,” she remarked, explaining how she maximised her time in the parks, enjoying a solid ten hours of Disney magic. Born emphasised her mission to inspire other mothers to carve out time for their own interests, stating, “If you’re thinking about taking a day trip like mine, definitely do it.”
With an annual Disney pass in hand, the trips allow her a taste of the magic while still prioritising her role as a mother. The convenience of flying back home the same day not only satisfies her adventurous spirit but also proves economical, as she can skip the hassle and cost of hotel accommodations, with round-trip flights averaging around £40.
Despite the excitement of her trip, Born admitted that she won’t push the limits of her travel schedule in the future. Reflecting on her near-miss with missing the flight, she acknowledged that distraction can come easily when you are having a good time. “I was so stressed out,” she shared, revealing the close call was nearly a panic-inducing situation. With all arrangements in place for her children’s care, the potential fallout from missing her flight added considerable pressure.
Born credited her timely arrival to her attentive Uber driver, who sped her to the airport after hearing about her tight schedule. “We made eye contact in the rear view mirror, and she floored it,” Born recounted with a laugh, expressing her gratitude and even leaving the driver an extra tip for her excellent service.
As Brittany continues to document her Disney adventures, her story highlights not just the joys of a simple day trip but also the challenges and triumphs of balancing personal passions with parenting duties. Her message of self-care and prioritising personal time resonates, particularly for busy mothers who may often feel torn between their own interests and familial responsibilities. In her case, the spirit of Disney continues to inspire, representing not just a fun getaway, but also a chance to recharge and reconnect with oneself.